One out of the many great things about Tokyo is that the City is centrally located and is an ideal base for day trips in the region. As an iconic location in the World, Mt. Fuji stands alone as a centrepiece of Japan, and one which is in reach and easily accessible on a day trip from Tokyo.

Although there are many different ways and routes to visiting Mt. Fuji, as an all-round package I suggest visiting a town at the base of the mountain called Fujiyoshida.

This small Japanese sleepy town is special, as soon as you step out onto the streets you can feel the sense of urban and local welfare compared to being in a big City. It’s cosy, it’s calm, it’s quiet. Out here it’s a complete change of pace and a different way of life.

Without you realising, Fujiyoshida is also home to a number of the most famous viewpoints of Mt. Fuji, however on the flip side it’s also home to a much larger amount of lesser known and scenic areas where mainly only locals go, and are therefore away from the crowds. A large portion of Fujiyoshida could even be described as deserted and empty in places, that’s when you know you’re out in the rural areas of Japan.

If you’re worried about crowded tourism, fear not as this only applies to a very small handful of ‘Instagram famous’ spots in town.  With that being said, they are always busy for a great reason, as they offer some of the most spectacular and beautiful views of Fuji-San. If you’re an early bird and are willing to get there early enough, you can avoid a good portion of the chaos and the crowds. As mentioned earlier, strangely enough by taking just a few steps outside these areas will have you feeling free and alone in the countryside.

Getting Here

There are multiple different options regarding how to get to Fujiyoshida, and the best option for you will generally depend on where you are staying in Tokyo, and how much time you have. The easiest and cheapest option would be by Bus from Shinjuku, the downside being you need to book in advance as seats get full up days in advance. The journey takes roughly 2 hours, and although you get there quickly, the fact you have to book time slots ahead of time means you are restricted on the day, which is something worth thinking about. Although there are many bus operators, the one recommended through my accommodation was https://highway-buses.jp. For the return journey, make sure to book the bus from Kawaguchiko.

The option I took for multiple reasons, was the Train. As I mentioned earlier, depending on where you are staying in Tokyo could determine the route best for you, and for me personally as I would have had to get the train through into Shinjuku anyway it didn’t make much sense to then get off and change again for a Bus. For the Train, you don’t need to book ahead and it is still a reasonably affordable option, however the negative of this is you will need to make either one or two connections along the way, and the journey takes just over 3 hours. I used the Train both ways as I stayed here for a Week and had more time, but if I would have come for the day then maybe I’d look at booking the Bus there one-way to get there as quick and early as possible, and then if you have no rush to get back to Tokyo take the Train home, in which case you won’t have to rush to catch the pre-booked Bus.

Lastly, if there is a large number of you on the trip, taking a Taxi/Uber to Fuji and splitting the costs may be an option. I would only use this as a last resort however, as the costs will be high and the money used could definitely be spent better elsewhere. Although of course the benefit of this option is it takes you door-to-door. Furthermore, if you have the necessary paperwork and details to hire your own Car, then a road trip of your own could be on the cards.

How Long to Stay

Considering travel time and the to-and-from commute, a full day here is a bare minimum. However if you have more time, I’d suggest to spend an overnight or two here, that way you can explore everything the area has to offer at a more relaxing pace.

Fujiyoshida

Once arrived at Fujiyoshida, I’d suggest going to view and see the main photographic and Instagram worthy spots in the area ASAP before the majority of the crowds arrive. The two spots in focus would be the Churieto Pagoda and Honcho Street, located either side of Shimoyoshida train station. You’ll have seen photos from these locations everywhere before, when you search for Fuji, there’s a high chance photos of these spots will show up. Personally, I feel a lot of ‘Instagram famous’ spots are generally overrated, however that can’t be said for these, as the views you get of Fuji-San are just incredible. For once the hype is real, and there is definitely a reason why they are so popular and famous.

Once you have visited these two iconic sites, I suggest walking and working your way across town and back down to see and visit many of the beautiful and hidden areas Fujiyoshida has to offer. By doing this, you get a real feel for local and rural life way out here in the urban areas of Japan. As far as viewpoints of Mt. Fuji go, you could be here forever finding them all. For those of you who enjoy your photography, this place is heaven.

Fujikawaguchiko

In the afternoon, I’d recommend catching the Train and moving on up towards Kawaguchiko. Furthermore, this is where if getting a Bus back to Tokyo where you’d get it from too, all alternatively also a Train.

The town of Fujikawaguchiko itself is a lovely and quaint area similar to that of Fujiyoshida, although not as big so won’t take you as long, it’s still worth exploring. However, the main attraction here is Lake Kawaguchi, offering views across its waters directly in front of Mt. Fuji. Here you have two options, you can either walk round a fair portion or the whole of the Lake, or there are mutliple Bus routes which go round the Lake which you can take to a specific location and back. On a Sunny day, the walk is well worth doing.

Around and in the vicinity of the Lake you have various activities and options you can take advantage of in order to view Fuji-San from a different and unique perspective. On the right hand side as you approach and come down to the Lake from the station you will see a Cable-Car which leads you up to Mt. Tenjo. From the top, you will have stunning views of Lake Kawaguchi one side, and the other clear and amazing views of Mt. Fuji, it really is a sight to behold. Of course alternatively, if you’re feeling active and healthy you can always hike up and back down the mountain instead.

When back down at lake level, if you want to experience the views of Fuji from the viewpoint of the water, you are able to take a number of different boats and pedal-boats out on the lake for a fun experience and the opportunity to see a unique selection of views of the landscapes around you. To do this, look out for the little huts along the lake where you pay a fee to the vendor and you go from there.

Visiting Mt. Fuji should be on every Japanese itinerary if possible and you have the time, it truly is a iconic location. Photos don’t do it justice, only once you’re there in person do you realise and truly feel the full scale of the mountain. Simply put, the whole experience will leave you in awe.

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